Dentistry Unmasked: A Roundtable Podcast

Few people have had a greater impact on the adoption of silver diamine fluoride in the United States than this week’s guest. On Dentistry Unmasked, Pam and Brian sit down with Dr. Shirtcliff, the man who helped bring SDF to U.S. dentistry, to hear the remarkable story behind its introduction, the testing and approvals required to make it available to American patients, and how its role in dentistry has evolved. He also shares his candid perspective on where dentistry is headed, why our profession still leans too heavily on treatment after disease occurs, and why a stronger commitment to prevention and disease management may be one of the most important shifts dentists can make. If you use SDF (or think you should)this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
 
 

Bonus systems are often touted as the secret to motivating a dental team; but do they actually work? This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Brian and Pam sit down with Sharyn Weiss, who challenges the conventional wisdom that bonuses drive better performance. In fact, she believes they can be counterproductive, create unintended problems, and fail to inspire the behaviors practice owners really want. Tune in as Sharyn explains why bonus systems often fall short and what leaders can do instead to build a motivated, engaged team that performs well for the long haul.

Life doesn't stop when you're running a dental practice.  Dentists and dental professionals are often expected to lead their teams, care for patients, manage businesses, and support their families, even while facing some of life's most difficult personal challenges. Divorce is one of those challenges, yet it's rarely discussed openly within our profession. This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Pam sits down with entrepreneur and registered dental hygienist Tonya Lanthier, founder of DentalPost, for an honest and heartfelt conversation about navigating divorce while balancing the demands of a career in dentistry. Drawing from their own personal experiences, Pam and Tonya discuss the emotional, logistical, and professional hurdles that accompany this life-changing transition, as well as the importance of finding support, staying organized, and moving forward with intention. Following the sale of DentalPost, Tonya turned her attention to helping others through the creation of DivorcePost, an AI-powered platform designed to provide guidance, organize the countless tasks involved in divorce, and help people navigate the process as peacefully and efficiently as possible. Whether you've experienced divorce yourself, know someone who has, or simply want to hear a candid conversation about resilience, leadership, and life beyond dentistry, this episode offers encouragement, perspective, and hope that brighter days lie ahead.

What if the most exciting chapter of your career hasn't happened yet? Dentists are natural entrepreneurs, innovators, educators, and leaders, and many discover that their greatest opportunities exist outside the four walls of the operatory. This week, Brian and Pam share ideas for expanding your professional horizons through teaching, writing, speaking, consulting, entrepreneurship, and other passion projects that can create fulfillment, flexibility, and new revenue streams. Tune in and discover how your dental career can be exactly what you want it to be.

This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Brian and Pam sit down with JoAnne Tanner, practice coach, consultant, and author, to talk about one of the biggest decisions in a dentist’s career: buying a practice. Whether you are dreaming of ownership, actively evaluating an opportunity, or preparing to sell, the process can be exciting—but it can also be overwhelming, expensive, and complicated if you do not know what to look for. JoAnne shares insights from her recently published book and breaks down the key considerations that every buyer and seller should understand before entering a transition.From knowing the right questions to ask, to avoiding costly mistakes, to understanding what makes a practice truly worth buying, this conversation is packed with practical advice for dentists on both sides of the deal. Tune in to learn how to approach practice transitions with more confidence, clarity, and strategy—because when it comes to buying or selling a practice, getting it right matters.

This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Pam and Brian sit down with Dr. Mia Geisinger, past president of the American Academy of Periodontology, for a powerful conversation about the undeniable connection between oral inflammation and systemic health. For too long, “a little bleeding” has been minimized or accepted as normal—but Dr. Geisinger makes it clear: bleeding is a sign of inflammation, and inflammation matters. With dozens of systemic illnesses linked to or exacerbated by periodontal inflammation, dental professionals have a critical opportunity to help patients understand that periodontal health is not just about saving teeth—it is about supporting whole-body health. In this episode, Dr. Geisinger breaks down the science, the responsibility, and the opportunity we have as clinicians to collaborate with our patients, improve periodontal outcomes, and reduce the oral inflammatory burden that may contribute to systemic disease. If you have ever struggled to get patients to take bleeding gums seriously, this conversation will give you the language, confidence, and clinical perspective to change the way they see their oral health.Tune in for a compelling episode that reminds us why periodontal health is no longer optional—it is foundational.

This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Brian and Pam sit down with Dr. Jeff Brucia for a practical, clinically relevant conversation about what it really takes to bond composite predictably. Think you know the difference between an immature bond and a mature bond? This episode may change the way you look at and practice adhesive dentistry. Dr. Brucia breaks down the details that influence bond strength, clinical longevity, and restorative success—from technique sensitivity to the steps that help maximize adhesion and minimize failures. This conversation is packed with tips to help you elevate your outcomes, improve efficiency, and deliver better dentistry. Tune in for a can’t-miss episode that will help you bond smarter, not harder.

What does it take to grow a single dental practice into a thriving multi-location organization—and then step back from the day-to-day to pursue an even bigger mission? In this episode of Dentistry Unmasked, Brian and Pam chat with Dr. Chris Lugo, The Dentrepreneur and a pediatric dentist, educator, and mentor who transformed one practice into five while mastering the art of remote leadership. Armed with both clinical expertise and an MBA, he shares how he built systems, developed teams, and created a scalable business that no longer depended on his physical presence.But his story doesn't stop there. Having achieved professional success, he shifted his focus toward a new purpose: teaching, consulting, mentoring, and helping other dentists reach their full potential. Learn how he leveraged business principles to create freedom, expand his impact, and pursue a vision larger than clinical practice alone.Whether you're dreaming of practice growth, exploring leadership opportunities, or wondering how to create a career with greater purpose and flexibility, this conversation offers valuable insights and inspiration.

This week on Dentistry Unmasked, Pam and Brian sit down with Stephen Taylor, Marketing Director at Delmain, for a candid conversation about one of the hottest topics in dentistry today: artificial intelligence in dental marketing. Stephen breaks down where AI can truly add value, where it falls short, and how practices can leverage technology without losing the human connection patients still crave. The discussion explores how dental marketing has evolved in the age of social media and reveals the procedures younger patients are increasingly seeking as they navigate the influence of online trends and digital self-image. Stephen also shares practical insights on measuring marketing success, tracking return on investment, and avoiding the common pitfalls that leave dentists guessing whether their marketing dollars are working. If you've ever wondered how to separate marketing hype from reality, this episode delivers actionable advice on building a sustainable growth strategy and partnering with trusted experts to help your practice thrive. The takeaway? Successful dental marketing is too important—and too complex—to go it alone.Tune in for an engaging discussion on AI, patient trends, marketing metrics, and how to make smarter decisions that drive practice growth.

Are your restorative materials working with or against your bonding protocol? In this episode of Dentistry Unmasked, we take a deep dive into some of the most exciting developments in restorative dentistry with Dr. Nate Lawson, a leading expert in dental materials science. We explore the growing popularity of dual-cure bulk-fill composite resins, including a critical discussion on their compatibility—or incompatibility—with certain bonding agents. Learn the science behind these interactions, how they can impact clinical outcomes, and the practical steps you can take to ensure predictable success. We also examine the latest advancements in 3D-printed dental materials and what emerging research reveals about their performance and future applications in clinical practice. Plus, discover why injection-molded composites continue to generate interest and what current evidence says about their potential advantages. Whether you're placing direct restorations every day or simply want to stay ahead of the rapidly evolving world of dental materials, this episode delivers valuable insights you can apply immediately in practice.
 
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